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Quick Guide: Getting a Breast Pump Through Insurance with Aeroflow

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-Sponsored Post-

A few weeks back we posted a super helpful guide from Aeroflow on getting your breast pump through insurance. Since then, we have had a ton of mamas reach out to us and say how helpful the post was! We wanted to boil it down even further and give you the bare bones guide on how to get your breast pump through insurance with Aeroflow. Find this post helpful? Share it with a friend and make her life a little easier!

Did you know? Most new mamas are eligible to be covered for a free breast pump through insurance anywhere from as soon as the baby is born up to 1 year after birth? (This is a good rule of thumb to go by; however the exact time period depends on your particular insurance plan.)

1. Head to Aeroflow’s website – The Aeroflow website features breast pumps from top brands such as Medela, Spectra, Lansinoh, Evenflo and many more. Keep in mind that when you visit the website, you will first need to fill out the Qualify through Insurance form before you can shop for breast pumps that are eligible under your specific insurance plan.

2. Complete Your Qualify Through Insurance Form – After you complete your form, you will be able to log in to the site and shop a curated selection specific to your insurance benefits. If you would like help navigating the store, Aeroflow’s Breastpump Specialists are happy to assist you!

3. Aeroflow to the Rescue – Once you fill out the Qualify form, a dedicated Breastpump Specialist will work to verify your coverage and will contact you via phone or email within 3-5 business days to discuss your options and help you select a breast pump. Check out this amazing and handy breast pump comparison chart to look at all of your options! You can also refer friends and receive discounts on Aeroflow’s website.

Did you know? Aeroflow’s breast-pump specialists can do all of these things: Verify your eligibility for a breast pump through your insurance plan; Contact your physician for a prescription; Recommend the best breast pump for your lifestyle and breastfeeding goals; Recommend supplies and accessories that will benefit your pumping experience; Determine whether select supplies and accessories could also be available under your plan; Bill your insurance provider for your breast pump; Ship your breast pump to your door, free of charge

We hope you find this handy and quick guide super helpful so you can get started pumping whenever you’re ready.

You can find Aeroflow on their website, Facebook, and Instagram, and Twitter. 

Thank you to Aeroflow for making this sponsored post possible. 

 

 

Getting a Breast Pump Through Insurance with Aeroflow Breastpumps

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-Sponsored Post-

One of the most common questions we often receive is, “How do I pick a breast pump, and is it covered under insurance?” As a new parent, or pregnant parent, the task of figuring out not only which breast pump to get, but how to go through your insurance, can be incredibly daunting. This is why we’re excited to introduce you to Aeroflow Breastpumps, a provider specializing in helping pregnant and nursing women qualify for their breastpump through insurance and the Affordable Care Act. We highly recommend checking out Aeroflow and letting them take you by the hand through this often confusing process!

Insurance eligibility:

In most cases, new mothers are covered for a free breast pump through insurance anywhere from as soon as the baby is born up to 1 year after birth (i.e. throughout their breastfeeding journey). This is a good rule of thumb to go by; however the exact time period depends on your particular insurance plan.

Navigating Aeroflow’s website:

The Aeroflow website features breast pumps from top brands such as Medela, Spectra, Lansinoh, Evenflo and many more. Keep in mind that when you visit the website, you will first need to fill out the Qualify through Insurance form before you can shop for breast pumps that are eligible under your specific insurance plan. While shopping as a guest, you might notice that certain items are not available for purchase. These items are only applicable to specific insurance plans and require the user to first fill out the Qualify form before they are eligible for certain breast pumps through insurance. Upon completing the form, you will be able to log in to the site and shop a curated selection specific to your insurance benefits. If you would like help navigating the store, our Breastpump Specialists are here to assist you! We do everything we can to help you find the best breast pump for your needs and lifestyle.

Steps to take:

Once you fill out the Qualify form, a dedicated Breastpump Specialist will work to verify your coverage and will contact you via phone or email within 3-5 business days to discuss your options and help you select a breast pump. Check out this amazing and handy breast pump comparison chart to look at all of your options! You can also refer friends and receive discounts on Aeroflow’s website. 

What our Aeroflow’s Breastpump Specialists can do for you:

  • Verify your eligibility for a breast pump through your insurance plan
  • Contact your physician for a prescription
  • Recommend the best breast pump for your lifestyle and breastfeeding goals
  • Recommend supplies and accessories that will benefit your pumping experience
  • Determine whether select supplies and accessories could also be available under your plan
  • Bill your insurance provider for your breast pump
  • Ship your breast pump to your door, free of charge

You can find Aeroflow on their website, Facebook, and Instagram, and Twitter. 

Thank you to Aeroflow for making this sponsored post possible. 

 

Mompreneur Spotlight: FAB Mom Jill Simonian

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Affectionately known on-air and online as ‘The FAB Mom,’ Jill Simonian is the Parenting Lifestyle Expert for CBS Los Angeles news and author of The FAB Mom’s Guide: How to Get Over the Bump & Bounce Back Fast After Baby — a personal, practical and motivating guide with celebrity stories and expert lifestyle tips to boost first-time moms’ mind/body/spirit confidence and capability for that ‘bumpy’ year of new motherhood (F-A-B = Focused After Baby). Jill is a contributor for NBC’s TODAY Show’s Parenting Team and Mom.me and has often appeared on TODAY Show, Hallmark Channel, HLN, KTLA Morning News Los Angeles and more.

Connect with Jill on TheFABMom.com,  Facebook,  Twitter and Instagram.

Gugu Guru: How and why did you start FAB MOM? Where did you come up with the name?

Jill Simonian: I wish I could say I was so creative to come up with “The FAB Mom” on my own, but it was literally the ONLY URL that was available for purchase when I first started blogging back in 2010! I remember typing in every possible blog name I could think of and “taken” kept coming up. I finally thought of ‘fab’ (because it was such a buzzword back then) and it turned out to be available… so I took it. I initially thought I’d write about fashion and entertaining after becoming a mom — you know ‘fabulous’ things — but soon found that most of what I was writing about had to do with me trying to stay motivated, creative and focused after having a baby. Turns out, the URL that found me was right on — FAB really does mean ‘focused after babies,’ which is what my new book for first-time moms The FAB Mom’s Guide: How to Get Over the Bump & Bounce Back Fast After Baby is all about. Staying focused and committed to bouncing back from bad days, confused parenting moments and the every day chaos of mom-life is something that we all must cope with and conquer.

GG: How do you balance work and family?

JS: Still trying to figure this one out (lol). Here’s one rule that I’ve learned the hard way this last year: Do not try to be a stay-at-home mom and working-mom at the same time! It sounds crazy, but that’s what I tried to do when I first got my job at CBS Los Angeles news in February 2016. I’d been a work-at-home mom (blogger/brand-ambassador) for years, but failed to realize that starting a new job on television and writing a book at the same time added up to full-time working hours. Sure, the time I could do my work was fairly flexible, but the responsibilities took time away from me being able to volunteer at my girls’ schools, cook dinner every night and organize the house like I used to. Whenever your time gets filled with something, you must account for the time you’ve lost in other areas — we cannot do it all at the same time (that’s not sexist, it’s just common sense). I also learned to do one thing at a time — multi-tasking does NOT work.

GG: What’s the best part about being a “Mompreneur” and running your own business?

JS:I do love the flexibility. Being more available for my kids is also very important to me. I’m a big believer in moms continuing to work after having kids (we need goals and accomplishments too!) but I’m also unwavering in my belief that the mom should be the kids’ primary caregiver. Don’t get me wrong — dads and sitters and grandparents are loved and needed and incredible, but no one can do what ‘mom’ can do when it comes to raising kids and giving them the security, guidance and discipline they need to grow into capable adults.

 

Mompreneur Spotlight: Samantha Rudolph of Babyation

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Samantha Rudolph actually came up with the idea for Babyation before she ever had a baby. She was reading a New York Times article that was lamenting the current state of breast pumps, and she was appalled at how little they’d changed over the years. She turned to her engineer husband and asked if he thought he could build something better. And from there, Babyation was born. Samantha is here today to discuss how she runs her own business and balances motherhood; she has a little one of her own now, Exton, and is so excited to bring a better breast pump to the market! You can follow Babyation on their website, Instagram, or Facebook.

GG: How and why did you start Babyation?

SR: I certainly never saw this one coming! They say necessity is the mother of all inventions, and in my case, it was the prospect of being a mother that prompted this business. A few years ago, I stumbled upon an article that highlighted the shortcomings of breast pumps. Even though a family wasn’t yet on our radar, I knew at some point I wanted to a) be a mother, b) continue working, and c) feed my hypothetical baby breast milk. I had zero knowledge of breast pumps prior to reading this piece, and I was horrified by what my future would look like. Lucky for me, I’m married to a gifted engineer who immediately said, “I can build something better.” And thus, Babyation was born!

GG: How do you balance work and family?

SR: Well, it helps that I absolutely love what I’m doing — both personally and professionally. I wouldn’t trade my baby or Babyation for anything. Co–founding this company is a privilege, and I am acutely aware of how fortunate I am. But, starting a business isn’t for the faint of heart — especially if you have a family. The pressure to succeed is extraordinary.

I do think there’s this misperception that often comes with being a mompreneur or running a business. Yes, I have a ton of flexibility in my schedule, and yes, I get to spend more time with my son than I would if I had a more traditional office job. I don’t ever take that for granted. Exton is the best thing I have ever done, and the title I am most proud of is Mom. I very clearly have that priority established in my life, and I make no apologies for it.

I also know that I don’t feel like myself unless I’m working and creating something from scratch. That is a very personal decision, and I completely support a woman doing whatever is right for her and her family. But for me, I’m a better mom because I work, and the flip side of a flexible schedule is that every second I’m not working on Babyation is a second I get behind in something. That’s just the reality. So for me, I make other trade offs. I refuse to shortchange my son or my startup. That means that I sleep very little. I no longer work out. I don’t see my friends as much as I would like. Laundry piles up, and the cleaning doesn’t get done. There are only 24 hours in each day, and I have to prioritize.

I’m well aware that this delicate balance only works because of the people around me. My husband, who is also my business partner, is an amazing dad. I can leave town on a business trip and not for one second worry about Exton. We moved in with my parents when we got serious about making Babyation a success. It allowed us to both commit to the company full-time without worrying about keeping a roof over our heads, and it gave us two more sets of hands to help with the baby. There is absolutely no way we could do this without them. When we’re successful, it will be in no small part due to them.

GG: What’s the best part about being a “Mompreneur” and running your own business?

SR: I have the best and worst boss in the world!

Kidding aside, the best thing about running THIS business is the incredible moms I have encountered. I am inspired by every single interaction I have. I can have the worst day ever, and then I read an email or a Facebook message about how this will change someone’s life. That’s just humbling. Something I’m doing can have a tangible impact for someone. She might be able to feed her baby breast milk longer. She may have the tool she needs to grow in her career. She might be able to feel like herself by getting out of the house. I don’t for one second forget who I am doing this for. And that makes every sacrifice, every setback, and every tradeoff worth it.

 

Mom Stories with Laura Novak Meyer, Founder of Little Nest Portraits

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Today we are so excited to have a guest blogger, Laura Novak Meyer, the founder and CEO of Little Nest Portraits. Laura’s here today to talk about her struggle with infertility and her journey to where she is today. We especially love her message to any women out there who are struggling with infertility this Mother’s Day. Little Nest Portraits is a boutique photography studio that offers stellar imagery in a relaxed atmosphere, where families have the chance to slow down and enjoy the experience.

Becoming a mother was a long journey for my family, as I know it has been for so many people. For years we celebrated with others as pregnancy announcements appeared, waiting patiently for our time to come. As a children’s photographer, the reminder that we were struggling with fertility was daily and stinging.

Today, with our happy-surprise-three-year-old and our angel-baby-four-year-old, struggling with infertility seems like a lifetime ago – something that happened to someone else.  Grief and sadness have since been replaced with the the happy challenges of dinnertime chaos, temper tantrums, and toy cleanup.  When I am asked about my own struggle, I grieve for the moms-to-be whose hearts are heavy with the hole of yearning to be a mother.

The time is dark and lonely and a rollercoaster of emotions– hope, loss, grief, worry, hope again… After several losses, surgeries, and treatments, my husband and I felt (and still feel) so fortunate for the amazing medical care and caring doctors who have helped us along our journey and supported us through such an emotional process.  When we finally entered into the second trimester with our first child (now three and a half!) we felt an overwhelming feeling or relief that I still struggle to describe. It was a milestone we’d hoped and prayed together for many months.

During fertility treatments I worried constantly. I worried if we would ever get pregnant again or if it was just a fluke. I worried about other options for our family and how hard that might be, how long that could take.   My mind was a constant swirling bowl of worry.

But then, a friend who went through IVF gave me some amazing advice:

“For us, we worried about getting pregnant. And then during your pregnancy you will worry… when your child is born you will worry, when your child goes to school you will worry. So it’s best to learn how to cope with the worry now because it is the reality of being a mother.”

Now that my two children are off to preschool and without me many days of the week, I deeply understand this amazing lesson. And I also get how hard it is to grasp when you are in pain and dealing with the ups and downs of infertility. I can’t help but wonder why I (and so many others) was given this journey. In a way, I truly believe it was to teach me that some things are completely out of my control. To let life lead me, rather than the other way around.

Mother’s Day can be particularly painful for those who are still longing for a complete family of their own.  It’s hard to know how to support someone who is struggling with infertility if you haven’t experienced it yourself.  Friends who are most helpful tend to be those who don’t make suggestions, don’t make value statements, and don’t try to offer solutions. They just listen and offer compassion. If you have someone in your life who is struggling with infertility, letting them talk while you listen and say “I’m so sorry you are going through this” is so helpful.  Even a simple “what can I do?” means so much.

If this is your journey – I have no great pieces of advice–just a desire to share my own story with you, my compassion and my love to you. And a final hope that anything I have shared here is at all helpful this coming Mother’s Day.

Product Discovery: Freemie Collection Cups

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It’s hard to imagine something being a game changer when it comes to pumping, but Freemie Collection Cups are indeed a game changer. Imagine the freedom of hands-free pumping, while wearing most any bra you want and keeping your shirt on! The cups each hold 8 oz and are designed to slip right into your bra. Once securely in your bra, you just insert the tube into the top of the cup and start pumping!

 

 

We won’t go so far as to say that no one will know, but the cups do allow for discreet pumping. They also allow you to go about your day while pumping – hold your little one in your arms, do your makeup, work at your desk, or entertain everyone who has come to ooh and ahh over your new arrival instead of hiding out in another room to pump.

The cups are designed for easy pouring – leaving the cups intact, simply take the tubing out and easily pour right into a storage bag or bottle. It is recommended that you hand wash them in hot, soapy water, so no waiting for a dishwasher cycle!

Freemie Hands Free Collection Cups are included with all Freemie pumps, but can be purchased separately and are compatible with many of the most popular pumps. The Freemie Collection Cups Deluxe Set comes with two 8-ounce collections cups and two sets of breast funnels (25 mm and 28 mm).

 

Product Discovery: Bravado’s Clip and Pump Hands-Free Nursing Bra Accessory

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Bravado Designs understand what women, in particular breastfeeding women, want from their bras. Known for their attention to detail and super comfortable (yet unbelievably functional) bras, tanks and more, Bravado is back with a brand new and innovative accessory. The Clip and Pump Hands-Free Nursing Bra Accessory is the ultimate companion for any pumping mama. The Clip and Pump Hands-Free Nursing Bra Accessory pairs perfectly with any of Bravado’s B-Clip Bras to make for a perfect pair for a pumping mom.

Bravado Designs is always looking for ways to make breastfeeding the best experience it can be. Moms have been saying that pumping, as part of their breastfeeding journey, can be so time-consuming and most hands-free pumping garments simply aren’t ideal. Bravado’s Clip and Pump Hands-Free Nursing Bra Accessory’s revolutionary design offers moms the convenience, ease and discretion they’ve been asking for. Best of all, it attaches securely to the nursing bras’ B-clips. Bravado has created a game-changer for hands-free pumping.

With adjustable 4-row hook and eye closure at back, this pumping accessory is sure to fit moms of all sizes; and, we love how discreet it is, so no worrying about everyone seeing…everything! Patent pending figure 8 opening engineered for easy breast shield insertion and removal – no need to detach breast shield from bottle. The elastic-enforced figure 8 opening holds bottles in an ideal upright position. The Clip and Pump accessory is made from super soft, breathable cotton modal fabric blend and has a wide, stretchy and comfortable bottom band. It also gives you the option of pumping on one side and breastfeeding on the other!  This style has been tested and is certified in accordance with Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 requirements, which ensures products are free from harmful substances.

Want to learn more about the Clip and Pump? Check out the video below!

Thank you to Bravado Designs for sponsoring this post.

Back to Work With The Nurse Purse

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With my first child three years ago I lugged the standard issue Medela pump carrying case back and forth to the office and hated every beige minute of it. Before heading back to work after my second baby I was determined to find a more convenient, and stylish, solution. Enter The Nurse Purse.

I love having a cute bag to carry all my pumping needs from home to subway to office. But the Nurse Purse is so much more than a cute purse. The bag is pretty large and has a number of pockets to carry all of your work and pumping accoutrements which means you can grab it off your desk and go pump without worry that you’re missing something. The bag has a panel in the front that unzips to access your pump controls so there’s no need to remove the pump from the bag. The bag itself is plastic coated and easily wipes off any drips that may land on it. It seems very well made and I anticipate it lasting long past the past day that I need to pump.

The Nurse Purse

I have only a few minor “room to improve” thoughts about the Nurse Purse. I wish the purse didn’t have the words Nurse Purse stitched onto a label on the outside of the bag; I’d prefer a more incognito pump transportation experience. I currently have, and love, a Spectra pump which doesn’t fit into the pump compartment of the Nurse Purse (but I was happy to find that you can remove this compartment entirely!) I have no problem fitting the pump into the bag or accessing the controls via the front panel but the inside is more cluttered than it might be with a different pump. I also have slightly too little space in the bag. If I’m carrying my pump, a cooler bag with bottles, some pump attachments and my laptop there is no room left for my lunch.

The Nurse Purse

I highly recommend the Nurse Purse to working breastfeeding mothers.

PRODUCT WIDGET – ID: 58ad6c87af09b162d8db2c78

Brianna KlemmAbout Brianna Klemm
By day Brianna Klemm is a Product Manager at the Amazon subsidiary, comiXology where she wrangles spreadsheets, business requirements and coworkers in pursuit of glory and the best digital comic experience in the world. By night she’s the mom to Casper (3) and Quincy (4 months) and is in constant pursuit of an evening out, a bourbon old fashioned, a clean shirt and a full night’s sleep (someday…).

Mompreneur Spotlight: Stephanie Greunke of Healthy Mama, Happy Baby

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It’s no secret that Gugu Guru is a big fan of the Whole30, so when we got the chance to interview the mama behind the Whole 30’s Healthy Mama, Happy Baby program, we were beyond excited! Stephanie Greunke is a registered dietitian with a master’s degree in nutrition who specializes in women’s health. She is a certified personal trainer and prenatal and postnatal corrective exercise specialist. Stephanie guides and supports women locally and globally through her web-based private practice, RockYourHormones.com. She also hosts a podcast called Real Food Mamas, which is available for free on iTunes and Stitcher. Together with Melissa Hartwig of the Whole30©, Stephanie created Healthy Mama, Happy Baby, a virtual pregnancy handbook consisting of a series of short videos with comprehensive information meant to guide women throughout their entire pregnancy. Read below to learn more about Stephanie Greunke.

GG: How and why did you start Rock Your Hormones, and how did the Happy Mama, Healthy Baby program come about?

SG: I originally started Rock Your Hormones to support women dealing with a wide variety of women’s health issues (such as PCOS, hypothalamic amenorrhea, endometriosis, and infertility). As I started helping women heal their bodies and resolve their hormonal complaints, they ended up getting pregnant! I then switched my focus to prenatal/postnatal health to continue to provide optimal care for the women in my practice. I love educating women on how to optimize their diet and lifestyle to support a healthy, enjoyable pregnancy and postpartum. I empower women with the information they need to make the best choices for themselves and their family when it comes to pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

During my first pregnancy, I realized how much misinformation was out there when it came to pregnancy. I kept reading conflicting information and became frustrated that women were confused about what to believe and were scared about veering off from the conventional path, even if it didn’t feel right. Melissa Hartwig of the Whole30 had a very similar experience to mine and we decided together to create something different. We created a virtual pregnancy handbook that replaces the conflicting, fear-mongering information currently available to pregnant women with a common sense, open-minded, positive approach to pregnancy. We continue to update the program with the latest evidenced-based recommendations and support the women on a daily basis through our private Facebook community.

How do you balance work and family?

I do my best to keep them separate. When I’m with my kids, I’m WITH my kids. When I’m working, I’m working. I used to try and tackle a quick e-mail or two while my son was independently playing, but found that I would easily become frustrated if he needed my attention before I was done. I felt that wasn’t fair for either of us, so now my computer stays in the office and I set my phone on a table far enough away from our play area, so I’m not tempted to check social media during playtime.

I hired a nanny when my first son was about nine months to give me more time for work. It was important for me to spend the first six plus months with him, but as he approached his first birthday, I was ready to add more work hours to my day. Starting when he was a year and a half, I had him spend Monday – Friday morning with our nanny in order to give me time to work on my business. I picked him up from the nanny, feeling refreshed and productive, so I could spend the remaining day present with him.

I just had a second son in October, and lucked out with a great napper. Since I’m not ready for him to be with a nanny, I use his naptimes to work. I have to be extremely organized and focused because my work time is condensed.  I pick no more than three tasks to accomplish each day, and say “no” to a lot of business opportunities. I give myself grace with my business knowing that this is a short season, and I will be able to put in more work hours once he’s a little older. As long as I’m doing a little bit every day to maintain my business, I’m happy. And if mama’s happy, everyone is happy.

What’s the best part about being a “Mompreneur” and running your own business?

I love having a flexible schedule. With young kids, they are bound to get sick (a lot). Even with all  the nutrition/wellness tricks in the world, their immune systems are constantly being challenged and it’s a good thing for them to get sick every now and then. Being able to take a “day off” without having to check in with a boss and enjoying the extra snuggles makes being a mompreneur the best option for me right now.

In addition to being a mom, I’m a military wife. We move every couple of years, so having a virtual private practice and online program is such a blessing. I don’t have to worry about starting and quitting jobs every few years because everything is online.